Fixture for machine tools



Oct.17, 1939. F. J. MALONE r 2,176,089 I FIXTURE FOR MACHINE TOOLS 4 Filed Jan. 13. 1936 5 sheets-sheet 1 frank J War/one ATTO NEy Oqt. 17,-.1939. F. .1. MALONE I FIXTURE FOR MACHINE TOOLS miedfJan. 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wan/( 1 7770076 F. J. MALONE FIXTURE FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed Jan. 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVENTOQ, Mrank jWYa/one I 1% M M w' wizlu-d QTToQNEys Oct. 17, 1939;

F. J. MALONE r'lx'runz' FOR macamm TOOLS Filed Jan. 15, less ;5 Sheets-Sheet 4 anyg/srqwm rank a/one figimJau QTToQryEys Oct. 17 1939. J, M LQN-E 2,176,089

l humus FOR 01mm TOOLS Filed Jan. 1;, 1936 5' Sheets-Sheet s more.

% VJ, MLMH, Page 1A Patented Oct. 17, 1939 FEX'EURE non MAC; 1

Fr .17. Malone,

Engemli Canton. @hio, aasignor to The 1 Machine Company, 0111,

The invention relates generally to fixtures for machine tools, and particularly to fixtures adapted to support the work in proper relation tothe tool. a Various objects of the present invention reside in the provision of a novel fixture which is built up from standardized separable parts adapted to be assembled selectively in diiierent ways to permit conversion or adaptation of the fixture for different types, forms and sizes of work pieces, and for various kinds of' machine operations to be performed thereon. e

A more specific object is to provide a new and improved work fixture which is adaptable to clamp the work in an upright position either from the top or bottom or in aninclined position, and which may be converted to support the work in one fixed position or for indexing in different directions.

Other detailed objects reside in the provision in a work fixture of various-novel means for facilitating loading of the work, for locating the work, for clamping the work in position, for inclosing the work, and for keeping the locating surfaces free from chips.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing various separable-units adapted to be assembled to produce different forms of a fixture embodying the features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the fixture. adapted for supporting the work piece in upright position, and for clamping the work piece from below. i

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view generally similar to Fig. 2, but showing means for supporting the work piece at an angle tothe vertical.

Fig. 4- is a transverse vertical sectional view invention resides in the provision of a work fix of a modified-form of the work fixture in which the work piece is clamped from above.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in section, of the work fixture, and the machine tool with which it is associated.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the work clamping unit with'the actuating parts shown in a diflerent position than in Fig.2.

Fig. 8 is alongitudinal vertical sectional view taken. substantially along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

' Fig. 9 is a plan view on an enlarged scale oiv the past to provide large numbers of special fixthe work supporting and locating unit embodied in the construction of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view partially in section along line iii-it of Fig. 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 the fixture, constituting the exemplaryv embodiment of the invention, is shown as of the type in which a work piece, such for example as an. engine block A, is adapted to be clamped in position against a positioning surface. In the present 10 instance, the work block A has two parallel faces (1 and c one of which is securely held against the positioning surface of the fixture by clamp tures. The cost of these fixtures in relation to that of the machine tool often is very high, and

hence a heavy burden.

One of the primary features of the present ture which comprises a plurality of fundamental parts standardized according to x certain basic functions, and adapted for selection and assembly in different ways, and therefore for conversion of the fixture, to accommodate singly any one of a substantial number of work pieces difiering in type, form or size, or in the nature of the machine operation to be performed thereon.

Thus, engine blocks may differ in size or height. It may be desirable to clamp in some instances against the top surface, and in other instances against the bottom surface, of the block. Also mounting of the block in differentpositions, for example, in a fully upright position or at an angle depending usually on the character of the machine operation, may be required. Relative angular disposition of the positioning or locating surface and the clamping means may be necessitated for'work pieces havingnon-parallel controlling surfaces. The direction of loading or unloading maybe in need of change. For example, it may be necessary in different instances to load either from the side or end of the fixture, and to unload in the same, different or reverse direction. Finally, indexing of the work piece may or may not be required. By reason of the separable character and standardization of the parts of the fixture, alteration "or conversion of the fixture to adapt same to these and other variations in the condition of the work piece may be readily effected at a minimum cost and without requiring a large number of special designs.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the fixture for the engine block A comprises a base member I adapted to be mounted upon a suitable support, such as a pedestal 2, a unit 3 or 3 adapted to be mounted on the base member I either in fixed position or for indexing movement in any one or a number of directions, and a spaced second unit 4 or 4' removably secured, as by means of detachable corner posts 5, to the first mentioned unit, and defining therewith a space 6 adapted to receive the engine block. One of the spaced units defines a positioning or locating surface, and the other is provided with suitable clamping means. The pedestal 2 (see Figs. 1 and 2) preferably is upright, hollow and rectangular in form, and

constructed of upper and lower horizontal secthereto of one or more supports or bed wings,

such as the column I (see Fig. forming part of the machine tool. A central opening II is formed in the top wall of the pedestal 2 to receive chips and other matter falling from the fixture. These chips may be removed from the pedestal 2 through the side openings between the corner posts 9. The top wall of the pedestal 2 also is formed with a flat horizontal surface I2 on which the base member I is adapted to be mounted.

The base member I (see Figs. 1, 2 and 6) is hollow, rectangular in form, open on the underside, and somewhat less in area than the mounting surface I2. Openings I3 are provided in the top and side walls for the reception of chips whichmay fall therefrom through the opening II into the pedestal 2. An external flange I4 is formed about the base member I along the lower margins of the vertical or side walls, and has a flat surface on its underside complemental to and adapted to seat slidably on the surface I2.

The flange I4 serves a two-fold purpose. Thus, when the fixture is to be secured in a fixed position, the flange I4 afl'ords means adapted to be bolted to the pedestal 2. In this instance, the base member I is located and held in position by a plurality of transverse keys I5 (see Fig. 2) inserted in registering keyways I6 and I1 formed respectively in the surface I2 and the underside of the flange I4, and extending inwardly from each of the'vertical walls of the pedestal 2. The keyways I6 and I1 are arranged, i. e., located centrally, so that they will register, with the base member I in' different positions on the pedestal 2. Thus, the base member I may be demountably positioned crosswise of .the machine as shown or longitudinally of the machine, and may be reversed end for end in either location.

When the fixture is to be mounted for indexing movement, the flange I4 is slidably confined on the pedestal 2 by means of parallel guide members I3 (see Fig. 6) removably bolted to the surface I2. It will be understood that the guide members I8 may engage any two parallel sections of the flange I4 to permit indexing of the fixture selectively along or transversely of the pedestal 2.

Suitable power means, preferably pneumatically operable, may be provided for indexing the fixture. With the guide members I8 extending longitudinally of the machine, a bracket I9 (see Fig 5) is removably bolted to the front wall of the base member I. A piston rod 20 is anchored at one end to the bracket I9, and at the other end is connected to a piston 2| slidably disposed in a cylinder 22 mounted on the side of the column III. The ends of the cylinder 22 at opposite sides of the piston 2| are connected through pipe lines 23 and 24 to a manually operable reversing valve 25 having an inlet line 26 leading from a suitable source of fluid under pressure, such as compressed air. If desired, a similar pneumatic unit, comprising a cylinder 22 connected in parallel with the cylinder 22 by pipe lines 23" and 24' branching from the lines 23 and 24, may be mounted on the other side of the column I 0, and connected by a piston rod 2| and bracket I9 to the rear wall of the base member I.

Suitable means is provided for limiting the indexing movement so as to define predetermined index positions. In the present instance, this means is shown as comprising a non-rotatable screw 21 (see Figs. 1 and 5) which is anchored at one end to a bracket 28 removably bolted to one side wall of the pedestal 2, and which extends slidably through a bushing 29 in the direction of indexing movement. The bushing or sleeve 29 is removably bolted to. one side wall of the base member I, and projects into an opening 30 formed therein. Adjustably threaded on the screw 21 at opposite sides of the bushing 29 and for selective engagement therewith to limit the movement of the fixture in opposite directions are two stop nuts 3| and 32. It will be seen that by reversal of the valve 25, the fixture may be indexed selectively into either of two predetermined positions defined by engagement of the nuts 3| and 32 with opposite ends of the bushing 29. By adjusting the nuts 3| and 32 on the screw 21, the location and spacing of these positions may be varied.

The top surface of the base member I is flat and machined to provide a mounting for the lower of the two units 3 and 4 or 3* and 4 between which the engine block A is adapted to be held. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the unit 3 is a clamping unit, and is formed of two longitudinal frame sections 33 and 34 having flanged end walls 35 and 36 and intermediate transverse webs 31, 38 and 39 secured together in end abutment by means of bolts 43 to define a unitary open-work rectangular structure. An external flange 4I is integral with and extends about the lower portion of the unit 3, and is mounted on and adapted to be removably bolted to the top surface of the base member I.

The unit 3 is shown extending transversely of the machine. To facilitate loading and unloading of the work piece endwise of the unit 3, a plurality of rollers 42 are mounted respectively between and in parallel relation to the end walls 35 and 36 and webs 31, 38 and 39, and are freely journaled in the side walls of the frame sections 33 and 34. A skid block 43 is removably bolted to the top of the intermediate web 33, and is located in a slightly lower plane than the tops of the rollers 42. It will be understood that the work piece A may be inserted from the front. rear or either side, between the corner posts 5, and may be unloaded in the same, reverse or either perpendicular direction. When loading from the side of the unit 3 is desired, skid blocks 44 and 45 extending above the rollers 42 are removably bolted to the end webs 31 and 39. In this instance, the block 43 serves no useful pur pose, and may be removed, if desired.

The unit 3 is provided with means for raising the work piece A, after loading, from the rollers 43 or the skid blocks 44 and 4!, into clamping engagement with the underside of the locating unit 4. In its preferred form, this. means comprises two elongated eccentrics 43 and 41 which extend parallel to and are located between the end rollers 42 and the endwebs 31 and 39. The two eccentrics 46 and 41 are fixed respectively on rock shafts 48 and 49 journaled in and extending at both ends through the side walls of the frame members 33 and 34. The outer ends of the shafts 43 and 49 are splined for the detachable connection of parallel crank arms ill and ii interconnected at their free ends by a turnbuckle link '52 adjustable in length. One of the arms, namely the arm ls connected at its pivotal juncture with the link 52 to one end of a link 53. The other end of the link 53 is connected to a crank arm 54 on a rock shaft 55 which is suitably iournaled in one of the comer posts 5,'and which is provided with a hand lever 36. The clamp actuating. mechanism just described may be secured to the rock shafts 48 and 43 at either side of the unit 3, for example, on the left hand side as shown in Fig. 7 or the right hand side as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and 5.

Positioning means is available at will for loeating the work piece A longitudinally on the unit 3 during loading and clamping This means comprises a stop screw 51 (see Figs. '7 and 8) which extends through one end of an arm 58, and which'is adapted to be secured in different positions of axial adjustment by means of a nut 53 and lock nuts 60 threaded thereon respectively at opposite sides of the arm. The other end of the arm I58 is mounted on a pivot pin GI removably secured in either of two socket lugs 82 and 83 on opposite ends of the unit 3, depending on the direction of work loading. A manual actuator 84, in the form of a horizontally extending handle, may be secured on the screw 51 against the arm 58 by the lock nuts 80. Thus,

the-arm 58 may be swung from below the upper plane of the'unit 3 upwardly to dispose the screwin operative position for engagement by one end of the work piece A. when desired, as for example, to permit unloading, the arm 58 may be swung downwardly to lower the screw 51 out of the path of the work piece.

The upright posts 5 are removably bolted to the corners of the upper surface of the base memspacing to the direction of work -loading and unloading.-

The upper or work locating unit 4 is in the form of a rectangular frame removably bolted at the comers to the tops of the posts 5. One side of theirame is recessed as indicated at 65 to receive the column ill or other tool support, and

thereby to reduce the overhang of the tool ortools 66 (see Fig. 2) to a minimum. The center of the frame is formed with an opening 61 through which the tools 66 may be projected for engagement with the work piece A.

The unit 4 constitutes a clamp back and work locating means. Removably secured to the underside of the unit 4 is a flat rectangular open frame plate 63 in registration with the opening 61 and having depending dowel pins 69 adapted to enter complemental locating. recesses iii in the surface a of the work piece A. This surface is adapted to be clamped directly against the plate 63 or a hardened plate II disposed against the latter and through which the pins 88 project. In certain types of machine operations, such as drilling and reaming, the plate 68 is closed, and provided with guide bushings 12 for the tools 66 (see Fig. 2).

By making the dowel unit 4 separable from the posts 5, it is possible to adapt the fixture for workpieces of different heights without requiring the use of substitute parts. Thus, vertical spacer blocks 13 may be removably inserted between the unit 4 and the upper ends of the posts 5. Thisconvertibility also permits a change in the mounting of a given work piece from a fully upright position as indicated in Fig. 2 to an inclined position as shown in Fig. 3. By inclining .the work piece 'Ain this manner, machine operations may be performed at an angle without necssitating adjustment of the tools 46 path of travel.

For mounting the work piece A in an inclined position, an angle spacer I4 is interposed between the base member i and the unit 3, the parts being removably bolted together. Likewise, an angle spacer 15, having a bottom surface-parallel to the top surface of the spacer 14, is removably bolted to the underside of the unit 4, and has the dowel plate 68 removably bolted thereto. One or more vertical guide bushings I6 may be'mounted in and open through the spacer 15. By using only one of the spacers I4 and I5, the fixture may be adapted for coaction with non-parallel surfaces.

Work pieces, such as the engine block A, are usually provided in one surface with locating means, such as the recesses 10, to receive the dowel pins 69. In such instances, it is desirable to apply the clamping pressure against a surface on an opposite side or end of the work piece. Thus, in Figs. 2 to 8, the work piece A is clamped from below. When thework piece A is inverted to permit machining operations from above on the surface a, the recesses I0 are located in the or their underside, and in this instance the units 3 and 4 are substituted for the units 3 and 4 to permit clamping from above.

The unit 4 is similar in shape to the unit 4, i. e., comprises an open rectangular frame adapted to be removably bolted at the corners to the tops of the posts 5, and recessed at 11 to receive the column It! or other tool support. The frame comprises side and end walls 18 to 8| defining a central opening 82. through which the tools 66 may be projected for cngagement with the work piece A.

Suitable clamping means for engaging the top surface a? of the work piece A is mounted in the unit 4, and in its preferred form comprises a transverse bar or lever 83 (see Fig. 4) mounted for swinging movement at one end on a shaft or rod 84 secured inthe end walls BI) and BI. The other end of the bar 83 is yieldably supported-by ,a releasing compression spring 85 seated in a recess 86 in the wall 9|, and is provided on the top with a hardened plate 81 engaging a rotary clamping cam or eccentric 88. A clamping shoe ,89 is plvotally mounted on an intermediate portion of the bar 83, and depends through an opening 90 in a web 9| for self-aligning engagement with the top surface of the work piece A. The

the wall 19, and which is'provided at one end with a manual operating lever 94.

The unit 3 (see Figs. 9 and 10) has a stationary sub-frame 95 and a movable work support 98 mounted thereon. The sub-frame 95 is in the form of an open-work rectangular externally flanged structure adapted to be bolted to the base member I, and having end walls 91 and 98 and intermediate transverse webs 99, I00 and IOI. Suitable work locating projections I02 are mounted on the top of the sub-frame 95 at the ends of the end walls 91 and 98 and the central transverse web I00. Two retractible dowel pins I03, for engaging in the recesses 10 in the work piece A, are also mountedin the end walls 91 and 98 of the sub-frame 95. The dowell pins I03 are alike in construction, and hence a description of one will suffice for both. Each pin I03 is formed on the upper end of a vertical plunger I04 which is slidably disposed in a sleeve I05 seated in an opening I06 in the end of the subframe 95. The lower end of the plunger I04' is formed in one side with a transverse notch or recess I01 receiving a pin I08 on the free end of a substantially horizontal rocker arm I09. A spring-pressed detent H0 is mounted in the arm I09, and extends from the end of the pin I08 into interfitting engagement with the bottom of the recess I01.

The rocker arms I09 for the two pins I03 are fixed on a rock shaft 1 II which is journaled at opposite ends in the opposed walls 91 and 98, and which is provided with an actuating lever I I2.

The work support 96 comprises side walls H3 and H4 which extends along the outside of the sub-frame 95, and which are rigidly connected by a plurality of transverse tie bars II5. Preferably, two bars II5 are provided respectively at opposite sides of each of the transverse webs 99 and IN. Two caps II6 are removably bolted to the tops of the intermediate portions of the webs 99 and MI, and have end lugs or flanges II1 projecting over the tie bars II5 to confine the support 96 loosely on the sub-frame 95.

A plurality of rollers I I8 to I2I are journaledat their ends in the side walls H3 and H4, and extend in parallel relation respectively between the end walls and transverse webs 91 to MI.

The support 96 normally is urged upwardly against the-lugs II1 to position the rollers II8 to I2I in a plane above the locating projections I02 and also above the dowel pins I03 when the latter are retracted, thereby avoiding interference when loading the workpiece A into the fixture. In the preferred form, a plurality of vertical plungers I22 are slidably mounted in longitudinally spaced relation in a like number of bores I23 formed in and opening to the undersides of the walls H3 and H4, and engage hardened plates I24 on the external mounting flange of the sub-frame 95. Preferably, each plate I24 is in the form of a headed pin removably seated in a bore in the flange. Each plunger l22 has a stern I25 extending slidably through a guide bore I26 at the upper end of the bore I23. A coiled compression spring I21, encircling the stem I25, is seated against the inner end of the bore I23 and engages the plunger I22 to urge the latter upwardly. Hence, the plungers I22 through coaction with the underlying plates I24 tend to lift the support 96 upwardly.

It is contemplated that springs I21 will readily overcome the weight of the work piece when by the flanges II1, the uppermost parts of the rollers will be disposed only a few thousandths of an inch above the surfaces of the locating projections I02. Thus, as the work piece is slid along the rollers into operating'position as shown in Fig. 10, the bottom surface a will be disposed so close to the projections I02 that any chips remaining on the locating surfaces from the previous operation will be scraped off effectually automatically and the locating surfaces left clean.

As in the case of the unit 3, a positioning means is provided for locating the work piece A longitudinally during loading and initial clamping. The positioning means is the same as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and the corresponding parts therefore are identified by the same reference characters.

The operation and convertibility of the fixture will be understood from the foregoing description. Briefly, when indexing is not desired, the base member I may be rigidly bolted to the pedestal 2. When indexing is desired, parallel sections of the flange I4 at opposite sides or at opposite ends of the base member I may be slidably disposed between the guide members I8.

The posts 5 may be oriented angularly, i. e., with the widest sides facing either the sides or the ends of the frame member I, to obtain a spacing most convenient for any particular .manner of loading and unloading.

When the work piece A is to be clamped from below, the units 3 and 4 are employed. If the work piece is to be loaded from the end, the skid plates 44 and 45 are removed, and if the work piece is to be loaded from the side, the skid plates 44 and 45 are bolted to the webs 31 and 39. In loading the fixture, the eccentric rollers 42 are rotated into inoperative position, and the work piece is inserted into position either on the rollers 42 or the skid plates 44 and 45. The work piece then is moved into end abutment with the screw 51 and positioned laterally to locate the recesses 10 approximately in line with the dowel pins 69. Thereupon, the eccentric rollers 48 and 41 are rotated into the position illustrated in Fig. 8 to lift the work piece A into engagement with the dowel plate 68 or the hardened plate 1| if the latter is used.

The locating stop 51 may be swung out of operative position to facilitate insertion or removal of the work. It will also be understood that the arm 58 may be mounted on either end of the unit 3 and that the mechanism for rotating the eccentrics 46 and 41 may be attached to either ends of the shafts 48 and 49.

For certain types of work, the dowel plate 68 may be closed and provided with guide bushings 12 as illustrated in Fig. 2. Spacer blocks 13 may be utilized to increase the length of the posts 5, either to adapt the fixture for work pieces of different heights or to provide extra height for insertion of the spacers 14 and 15. These spacers permit clamping the work piece in an inclined position as illustrated in Fig. 3. If only one spacer is used, non-parallel surfaces on the work may be clamped against the units 3 and 4.

In the fixture as shown in Figs. 4, 9 and 10, the work piece is clamped from below. In loading the fixture, the dowel pins I03 initially are retracted. Then the work piece A is inserted into position on the rollers II8 to I2I and located against the stop screw 51. The pins I03 now are projected upwardly into the recesses 10. Then, the shaft III is rocked to force the shoe 89 downwardly against the upper surface a of 7 5 the work piece A. The clamping action depresses the support .96 and holds the work piece A inaecurately located position against the projections Hi2.

5 ,I claim as my invention:

1. A fixture comprising, in combination with a support having a fiat rectangular horizontal mounting surface on the top. aced parallel guide members fashioned for rigid juncture with to said surface in anyone'of a plurality of difierent angular positions, a base member slidably confined by said guide members for rectilinear indexing' movement on said surface, and holding means on said base member. 1

w 2. A fixture comprising, in combination with a support having a mounting surface on the top, spaced guide members fashioned for rigid juncture with said surface in any one of a plurality of different angular positions, a base member go slidably confined by said guide members for indexing movement on said surface, and holding means on said base member.

3. A fixture comprising, in combination with a support having a mounting surface on the top,

s spaced parallel guide members on said surface, a rectangular base member having external guide fiangesadapted to be mounted interchangeably in any one of a plurality'of angular positions hetween .said guide members for rectilinear trans- ;o lation on said surface, and holding means on said base member.

4. A fixture having, in combination, a pedestal having a rectangular top surface, a box-like fixture frame supported upon said pedestal and 5 having a base member rigidly attached to said surface, and upwardly facing shoulders along each side of said base member to which shoulders guide members may be applied to secure said frame to said pedestal for horizontal sliding .0 movementin either of two transverse directions. 5. A work fixture having, in combination, a rigid box-like frame structure having top and bottom walls and a plurality of spaced rigid upright supports between which a work piece may 5 be slid, a member having a surface against which a work piece may be pressed to locate the work piece in position to be machined, a second member having a movable clamping element thereon with a surface adapted to engage the work piece, one of said members being secured to said top wall and the other to said bottom wall with said surfaces in opposedrelation and said members being detachable from said walls to permit the interposition of angular spacer elements between the walls and members whereby to change the angle at which the work piece is disposed. 6. A work fixture having, in combination, a pedestal, a structurally separate base plate detachably mounted upon said pedestal, structurally 0 separate upright supportsupstanding from *and rigidly attached to said plate, a top plate rigidly joining the upper ends of said upright supports, arid structurally separate members detachably secured in spaced relation to the opposed sur- 5 faces of said plates, work-locating means on one of said members, and means movably mounted on the other member and operable to press a work piece against said locating means.

I; A work fixture having, in combination, a o pedestal, a structurally separate base plate detachably mounted upon said pedestal, structurally separate upright supports upstanding from and rigidly attached to said plate, a top plate rigidly joining the upper ends of said upright 5 supports, and structurally'separate members detachably secured in spaced relation to the opposed surfaces of said plates, work-locating means on one of said plates, means ,movably mounted on the other plate and operable to press a work piece against said locating means, and 5 structurally separate angularly shaped spacer elements interposed between said plates and members and determining the angle in which said work piece is disposed when clamped in. working position. o

8. A fixture comprising, in combination, a base member having a mounting surface, a plurality of spaced upright supports extending perpendicue larly from said surface, a holding unit on said surface, a second holding unit removably supunits for holding workvagainst the other of said units.

9. A'fixture comprising, in combination, a base member having a mounting surface, a plurality of spaced upright supports extending perpendicularly from said surface, a holding unit on said surface, a second holding unitremovably supported by the outer ends of said upright supports in parallel spaced relation to said first mentioned unit, clamping means on one of said units for holding work against the other of said units, and an angle blockremovably mounted on the inside of said second unit.

, 10. A fixture comprising, in combination, a base member having a mounting surface, a plurality of spaced upright supports extending perpendicularly from said surface, a holding unit removably mounted on said surface, a second holding unit supported by the outer ends of said upright supports, clamping means on one of said units for holding work against the other of said 49 units, and an angle block removably secured between said member and said first mentioned holding unit.

11. A fixture comprising, in combination, a

base member having a mounting surface, a plurality of spaced upright supports extending perpendicularly from said surface, a holding unit removably mounted on said surface, a second holding unit removably supported by the outer ends of said upright supports, clamping means 50 on one of said units for holding work against the other of said units, an angle block removably secured between said member and said first mentioned holding unit, and an angle block removably mounted on the inside of said second unit.

12. A work fixture having, in combination, a rigid box-like frame structure having top and bottom walls connected by rigid vertical members with at least two adjacent open side walls through which a work piece may be slid in a 50 selected direction of loading, work-locating and work-clamping members, means for interchangeably and removably securing one of said members to said top wall and another of said members to said bottom wall in opposed relation and in alinement with a selected one of said open side walls, clamping means on said clamping member adapted to press a work piece against said locating member, and rollers mounted on the lower of said members for slidably supporting a work piece during the insertion thereof into the fixture,

13. A work fixture having, in combination, a rigid box-like frame structure having top and bottom wallsconnected by rigid vertical members a work piece may be slid, work-locating and work-clamping members, means for interchangeably and removably securing one of said members to said top wall and the other to said bottom wall in opposed relation and in alinement with said open side wall, clamping means on said clamping member adapted to press a work piece against said locating member, and rollers mounted on the lower of said members for slidably supporting a work piece during the insertion thereof into the fixture.

14. A work fixture having, in combination, a rigid box-like frame structurehaving top and bottom walls connected by rigid vertical members with at least two open side walls through which a work piece may be slid for a selected direction of loading, work-locating and workclamping members, means for interchangeably and removably securing one of said members to said top wall andthe other to said bottom wall in opposed relation and in alinement with a selected one of said open side walls, and clamping means on said clamping member adapted to press a work piece against said locating member. 15. A work fixture comprising, in combination, a rigid box-like frame structure having top and bottom walls connected by rigid upright supports, the opposed surfaces of said top and bottom walls being fashioned for the attachment '0! work-locating and work-clamping members thereto in a plurality of angularly spaced positions to accommodate the insertion of a work piece into the fixture from a selected side thereof, and work-locating and work-clamping mem- 85 bers each having a supporting face fashioned for from standardized structurally separate parts or unitsfor the accommodation of difierent types of work pieces or machining operations, the combination of, a base, a plurality of rigid supports, means for detachably securing selected ones of said supports to said base in spaced relation to each other and projecting therefrom, a worklocating member, a work-clamping member, and means for interchangeably securing one or the other of said members to the projecting portions of said supports and the remaining one of said members to said base and in opposed relation to each other for the reception of a work piece therebetween, whereby said work-locating and work-clamping members may be interchangeably mounted with one or the other adjacent the base and spaced apart from each other -a desired distance corresponding to the lengths of the supports selected.

17. In a work fixture adapted to be assembled from standardized structurally separate parts or units for the accommodation of different types of work pieces or machining operations, the combination of, a base, a plurality of rigid supports, means for detachably securing selected ones of said supports to said base in spaced relation to each other and projecting therefrom, a worklocating member, a work-clamping member, and means for interchangeably securing one or the other'of said members to the projecting portions of said supports and the remaining one of said members to said base and in opposed relation to each' other for the reception of a work piece therebetween, said last named means being adapted to secure said members in any selected one of a plurality of angular positions on said base and supports to accommodate the loading of work pieces in a corresponding selected direction.

FRANK J. MALONE. 

